Undergraduate Certificate in Public Health

Study Public Health at Flinders

Protect our community and save lives

Study 100% online in 6 months

There’s never been a better time to understand the importance of public health practice. The Undergraduate Certificate provides an introduction to Public Health in Australia.

Evaluate ways to address contemporary challenges of local, national and global significance to deliver outcomes that benefit the population and develop your leadership skills for project management, social justice and equity advocacy.

This Undergraduate Certificate empowers students to develop health research and study skills and critically apply theoretical knowledge.

With a strong focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, learn how to make use of the principles of social justice and public health to reduce health inequities.

Fast facts

Course facts at a glance.

Domestic

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International Student

I am not a citizen of
Australia or New Zealand.

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I am a
Domestic Student

I am an Australian or New Zealand Citizen.

I'm an Australian Permanent Resident
(including Humanitarian Visa holders).

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Prerequisites

None

Assumed knowledge

None

2024 selection rank

60.00

Guaranteed selection rank

65.00

SATAC code

278061

Delivery mode

In person:

– Bedford Park

Online: Yes

Duration

0.5 years full-time
(or part-time equivalent)

Annual indicative fee

2024: $6,317

How are these fees calculated?

Start dates

– March

Student and ATAR profile

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Student and ATAR profile

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Why study Public Health at Flinders

This Certificate has been specifically designed to introduce students to Australian public health knowledge and approaches to this knowledge.
Develop critical awareness and analysis skills connected to public health, health inequities, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
The course can be done 100% online over 6 months of full-time study.
It is a micro-credential that can be completed in 13 weeks (one semester) or part-time at half load over a year.
Participants graduate with a University Certificate.
The program provides a pathway or credit into the Bachelor of Public Health.

Your career

Completion of this Undergraduate Certificate may begin your career in public health, community engagement and liaison, health administration, health promotion or further University study.

Potential occupations

health promotion officer
community engagement officer
health and lifestyle coordinator

Potential employers

government Departments
community organisations
not for profit sector

Professional accreditation/recognition

Participants gain a University Certificate on completion, which is AQF accredited.

The program also provides a pathway or credit into the Bachelor of Public Health for participants who wish to pursue further study in the future.

What you will study

The study program includes core topics: introduction to public health and research and study skills, with a choice of topics in introduction to Indigenous studies and race, power and identity; and policy in a public health context, introduction to cognitive behaviour therapy theories and models, health and healthcare equity for a just and sustainable world, critical perspectives on global health and development, and innovative and creative thinking.

On completion of this course, you will be able to:

critically apply theoretical knowledge on how the health status of populations can be determined by the combined effects of biomedical and social determinants of health
develop health research and study skills pertaining to academic writing, referencing, and evidence-based practice
make use of the principles of social justice and public health to reduce health inequities, with a strong focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
evaluate ways to address contemporary challenges of local, national and global significance to deliver outcomes that benefit the population

View study program

ATAR and Student Profile Information

ATAR and Selection Rank profile

The table below shows ATAR and Selection Rank data for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR commencing in Semester 1, 2024. It is limited to applicants that have recently completed secondary education (within the last two years). Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.

Notes:
<5 – less than 5 ATAR based offers made
N/A – This course uses additional selection criteria and therefore Selection Rank is not published

ATAR-based offers only across all offer rounds	ATAR - Excluding adjustment factors	Selection Rank - ATAR plus any adjustment factors
Highest rank to receive an offer	99.55	99.95
Median rank to receive an offer	94.92	97.85
Lowest rank to receive an offer	70.75	79.90

Student Profile

The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced study in this course in Semester 1, 2024 including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia. Applicant background groupings are based on educational background, not basis of admission. Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.

Notes:
<5 – the number of students is less than 5
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students

Applicant background (Semester 1, 2024)	Number of students	Percentage of all students
Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	5	23%
Vocational education and training (VET) study	<5	<5
Work and life experience	<5	<5
Recent secondary education - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	5	23%
Recent secondary education - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test)	0	0
Recent secondary education - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration pathways)	<5	<5
International Students	6	27%
All students	22	100%

Why choose a Higher Education Certificate

By choosing to study a higher education certificate, you’ll gain a university-level qualification that:

Takes less time than a bachelor’s degree - allowing you to upskill or get a taste of your career path in as little as 6 months
Is cost effective – Commonwealth support is currently making higher education certificates even more affordable. Eligible students can also defer payment through HECS-HELP
Gives you a valuable qualification – Flinders’ higher education certificates are AQF accredited
Offers you a pathway towards a bachelor’s degree – credits from your studies can go towards further study

FAQs

How to apply

Choose your preferred course.

Check the entry requirements and admission pathways available to you.

Choose other courses to include in your preferences.

Visit SATAC and submit your application online.

Admission pathways

Applicants can apply for this course using Year 12 qualifications, previous Higher Education study, TAFE/VET qualifications, or through Adult Entry (STAT/Foundation Studies/tertiary preparation course).

For applicants using their SACE (Year 12) results (or equivalent), entry is subject to achieving a minimum selection rank of 60.

Explore our pathways

How to apply

Course enquiries

Want more information about studying at Flinders University? Contact us to find out more – we’d love to help you decide if Flinders University is the right choice for you.

Course enquiries

For all course enquiries phone or email us or complete the course enquiry form.

1300 354 633

askflinders@flinders.edu.au

FAQs

Who should apply for a higher education certificate?

There are many reasons to apply for a higher education certificate. You may want to upskill and progress your career without committing to a longer-term degree, or build on the strength of your current degree by adding a different qualification. You may have a particular passion you want to explore, or want to get a taste of university that could lead you towards a bachelor’s degree.

If you’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen or permanent humanitarian visa holder, you will be eligible for a discounted Commonwealth supported place (CSP).

Why are these courses subsidised to the Australian Government?

The Australian Government is subsidising courses across a range of national priority areas in order to give people the opportunity to upskill or learn new skills to help the workforce and the nation during a difficult economic period. These course subsidies could help you transition to a new role within your existing industry, or prepare you to move to a new industry.

Can I study a higher education course part-time?

Yes. These are micro-credential courses and can be completed part-time over 25 weeks (or a university year of 2 semesters). To qualify for the government discount, you must enrol and begin your studies in the same year.

Can I apply and then defer my studies?

No. In order to qualify for the government discount, you must enrol and begin your studies in the same year.

Do I have to pay the course fees upfront?

If you are an Australian citizen or holder of a permanent humanitarian visa and meet other eligibility criteria, you won’t have to pay your course fees up front. You can get a HECS-HELP loan for your student contribution portion of your uni fees. More information about HECS-HELP is available here.

Do I still have to pay the student services and amenities fee?